Russell Martin is Rangers manager LIVE as former Southampton and Swansea boss kicks off new Ibrox era

Daily Record

a day ago

Finally, Rangers have a new permanent manager and it's Russell Martin.
After a largely forgettable loan spell at Ibrox a decade ago, Martin is back in Glasgow in the top job this time and is tasked with getting the club closer to a dominant Celtic team.
The former MK Dons, Southampton and Swansea manager will work alongside new sporting director Kevin Thelwell to build his Gers squad over the summer.
And with new owners 49ers Enterprises pumping £20million in, there will be money to spend, but it must be spent wisely.
There are Champions League qualifiers to negotiate and there can be no let up in the league after seeing Brendan Rodgers' men streak away from them season after season for the last five years.
Regaining the title may be a stretch in Martin's first season, but he'll be expected to put up a good fight and lift at least one of the two domestic cups on offer.
No pressure then.
06:27Ross Pilcher
Martin's last Rangers game
Russell Martin's stint as a Rangers player won't live long in the memory.
But at least the former Ibrox defender will have the chance to make up for it when he's named as the club's new gaffer.
The 39-year-old looks certain to be announced as Philippe Clement's replacement in the coming days.
And when he takes his seat in the famous Blue Room at the top of the marble staircase, it will be a million miles away from his ill-fated spell as a Gers player.
Martin endured a six-month loan spell in Glasgow at one of the club's lowest ebbs.
Rangers were miles off Celtic with Graeme Murty in charge before Jimmy Nicholl stepped in before the end of a disastrous campaign.
Martin's last game in a blue shirt was on 13 May, 2018 at Easter Road in a memorable 5-5 draw against Hibs.
But while he looks to be heading back to Govan as the club's new manager, where are the rest of his teammates from that day?
One of them is plying their trade in SLOVAKIA, another is plodding away in the National League - and a certain Mexican striker is retired from the game.
06:25Ross Pilcher
Martin's career rated and slated
Russell Martin will get a crack at his fourth managerial gig when he's unveiled as Rangers' new gaffer.
And irrespective of what he's achieved at MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton, respectively - the job at Ibrox will be his biggest challenge yet.
The 39-year-old is on the verge of being appointed as Philippe Clement's replacement and the man to lead a new era at the club following their £100 million American takeover.
But what type of manager will Rangers be getting? How astute is his recruitment of players? And how does he deal with the heat in press conferences when things aren't going well?
Martin's career as a coach had been on an upward trajectory - from MK to Swansea to Saints - until he suffered his first major setback when he was sacked in December with his side heading for relegation.
Martin's the man
Russell Martin has been appointed as the new manager of Rangers on a three-year deal.
Record Sport exclusively broke the news on Wednesday night that Martin will be officially paraded in the next 48 hours after convincing new chairman Andrew Cavenagh that he was the best man for the job.
The Englishman has been without a club since getting the sack at Southampton last December, just six months after leading the club back to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs.
It's believed the ex-Gers and Scotland defender had been in discussions with Leicester City but has knocked back the chance to replace Ruud van Nistlerooy by finalising a return to Govan instead.
The appointment brings the near four-month-long search for a new manager in Govan to an end.